Multiculturalism

£12.99

Hasan, Dr Rumy

25/03/2010
|
Paperback
|

ISBN: 9781842752371

About
Multiculturalism

Since the London bombings of July 2005, there has been growing concern at the deep-seated segregation and 'ghettoisation' that has become prevalent in several British towns and cities.

Hitherto, the approach taken by governments and local authorities parties in this regard can be summarised as benign non-intervention, justified under the rubric of 'multiculturalism'. Migrant communities have led their lives pretty much as in their 'home' countries. By so doing, large sections of these communities have in the process 'sleepwalked' into segregation. Mixing with those not from one's 'own' religious-ethnic community has become minimal – to the point where, for perhaps the majority living in religious-ethnic ghettos, it is virtually non-existent. This in turn leads to the ghettoised communities leading, in effect, parallel lives.

The overarching aim of Multiculturalism: Some Inconvenient Truths is to contribute towards a critical understanding of this troubling but profoundly important phenomenon, and provide an input into policy debates.

Multiculturalism: Some Inconvenient Truths argues that many of the beliefs and practices of religious-ethnic minorities are oppressive - especially concerning women and children – and that they are profoundly damaging the lives of many of those now trapped within 'mono-religious, mono-cultural' segregated communities. It aims to set a vision of society based on eroding the leading of 'parallel lives' and segregation, and hence rejecting oppressive and divisive cultural and religious practices.

Author(s)

Reviews

Rumy Hasan's book is an excellent academic analysis of a world that, over the past 35 years, I have become familiar with - at times depressingly so - of the Pakistani (Mirpuri) and Bangladeshi (Sylheti) communities in my Keighley Constituency. When I began publicly arguing against forced marriages in 1999, I would have been helped enormously by Multiculturalism: Some Inconvenient Truths. I would therefore, like to recommend it as necessary and instructive reading for people charged with the many aspects of planning for the future of such areas as Bradford and Keighley.

Ann Cryer (formerly MP for Keighley 1997-2010)

"This seminal book addresses the deep alienation of many Muslims from mainstream society which may emanate from the policies of multiculturalism. Hasan argues that many of the beliefs and cultural/religious practices of religious ethnic minorities are oppressive, especially those affecting women and children. Multiculturalism, the author suggests, is in fact a demand for separate rights, exemptions and provisions which discourages and even prevents the mixing of peoples; the corollary of which is a high degree of isolation. This is a deeply important book that questions the concept of multiculturalism and concludes that it is an alienating principle."

Baroness Frances D

Rumy Hasan has in Multiculturalism: Some Inconvenient Truths studied the growth and gestation of this socially destructive phenomenon in a comprehensive way and has given us the first history of the growth of this sentimental and destructive veneer which seeks to hide the ethnically broken society of today's Britain. Hasan takes a step-by-research step journey through the history of settlement to take apart the notions of multiculturalism and for the first time study its discontents." Farrukh Dhondy, Novelist and Playwright

"This is an important work; but it will make many readers uncomfortable. It criticises the prevailing theory and practice of 'multiculturalism' as leading to differentiation and segregation of individual and community identities. By contrast, Hasan advocates a policy of integration and cohesion based on 'conditional respect' and universal human values, and on the recognition and acceptance of difference as long as this does not contravene or undermine fundamental human rights."

David Seddon, former Professor of Sociology and Politics, University of East Anglia